EMD Resource Allocation and Prioritization 2

Question 1

When two Priority 1 calls arrive simultaneously, what should primarily guide the dispatcher's resource assignment decision?

Accepted Answer

The nature and severity of each emergency based on determinant codes

Answer

Determinant codes reflecting the nature and severity of each emergency drive resource priority when simultaneous calls compete for limited units.

Question 2

What is System Status Management (SSM) in emergency dispatch?

Accepted Answer

A dynamic deployment strategy that pre-positions units based on predicted call volume and location

Answer

SSM dynamically positions units across a service area to minimize response times by anticipating where calls are most likely to occur.

Question 3

A BLS unit is en route to a low-priority call when a cardiac arrest is reported nearby. What is the dispatcher's best action?

Accepted Answer

Divert the BLS unit to the cardiac arrest and reassign the low-priority call

Answer

A cardiac arrest is immediately life-threatening and justifies diverting an en-route unit from a lower-acuity assignment.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of a tiered response system in EMD?

Accepted Answer

To match the level of medical resources to the documented severity of the emergency

Answer

Tiered response aligns resource intensity with patient acuity so that ALS capability is conserved for calls that truly require it.

Question 5

Under what condition should a dispatcher request mutual aid from a neighboring jurisdiction?

Accepted Answer

When local unit availability is exhausted or call volume exceeds local capacity

Answer

Mutual aid is activated when local resources cannot meet demand, ensuring continuous coverage without a service gap.

(EMD) Emergency Medical Dispatch Practice Test